Sanitation and Water Disposal Sites

"Federal approval of Tacoma's city-wide WPA sewer improvement project providing employment for more than 560 men, was announced today by Don G. Abel, state WPA director. The WPA allotment accounts to $95,776 to which the city of Tacoma will add $13,208. Further allotments involving a total of $172,122. to which the city of Tacoma is adding $18,966 and which will employ more than 900 additional workers taken from relief rolls is awaiting Federal approval which is expected momentarily, Abel stated. The district in which the approved projects will begin as soon as conditions will permit are Garfield Park trunk sewer, East...

According to a March 8 1934 article in the Clovis Independent, out of $17,374 for 17 Civil Works Administration projects for Fresno County, $3,649.96 was spent "for a sewer distribution line in Selma."

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded new construction or improvement work on sewer lines in Wahiawa on Oahu. The PWA grant amounted to $59,850, and the work was carried out in 1938. The project, listed as Docket No. TH-1076-F, was part of the PWA’s non-federal projects expenditure for the Territory of Hawaii for 1938-1939.

According to the Washington Post, $220,500 was allotted by the Public Works Administration (PWA) for an outfall sewer extension in 1933.   According to DC Water, there are 53 sewer outfalls in the District, so the location of the work cannot be known based on this source alone. This work was part of a massive New Deal era program to upgrade the sewers of Washington DC, separate sanitary and storm sewer systems, and install sewage treatment at Blue Plains.   The outfalls referred to here would today be storm sewers not sanitary sewers.

The 1936 Selectmens report mentions W.P.A. assistance to the town of Farmington: "With respect to Article 3 of the Warrant covering budget items 10 and 11-a, we suggest a small appropriation of $1350.00 to cover our 'Sponsor's Contribution' for the completion of the W. P. A. project for the reconstruction of the filtration system at the sewage disposal plant. The $670.02 thus far expended by the town on this project has come from a surplus in revenues other than taxes and other balances accruing during the year but we think it advisable to make this provision for its completion."

As part of the initial Civil Works Administration (CWA) jobs effort in Dover Foxcroft was the construction of 4 sewer lines on Fairview, Morton, Harrison Avenues and Pearl St. $12,618 was spent by the CWA and 90 men were put to work in the town in December on various public works.

During the hard winter months of 1933-1934, the Civil Works Administration (CWA) was a work relief program that employed Portlanders on a variety of needed projects. Sewer repair work was one such project category. These men are shown doing sewer repair in the Lair Hill neighborhood at SW First and SW Sheridan on January 30, 1934. The CWA served as a federal relief program from November 8, 1933 through March 31, 1934.  When the CWA began, Oregon anticipated being able to put 21,000 men back to work on small projects involving a large amount of hand labor. The projects were submitted...

During the hard winter months of 1933-1934, the Civil Works Administration (CWA) was a work relief program that employed Portlanders on a variety of needed projects. Sewer repair work was one such project category. These men are shown doing sewer repair in the Laurelhurst neighborhood at the corner of SE Floral and SE Ankeny Streets on January 26, 1934. The CWA served as a federal relief program from November 8, 1933 through March 31, 1934.  When the CWA began, Oregon anticipated being able to put 21,000 men back to work on small projects involving a large amount of hand labor. The...

Numerous New Deal agencies contributed to the development of metropolitan Atlanta's sewer system during the Great Depression. Atlanta initially applied for PWA funding in July 1933, but lack of local contribution caused the city government to withdraw the application and shift it to CWA in December 1933. CWA approved funds to modernize the metropolitan area sewer system, contingent on matching funds from city and county. in March 1934, FERA began work on new sewer lines, and in 1935, the project transferred to the WPA after the passing of a bond issue. Employment was estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 men. In 1936,...

Multiple sanitary sewer constructions project in Cavalier, North Dakota were undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Work occurred between August and October 1934. (PWA Docket Nos. ND 1486, 1573, 1575)

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 announced that "East Wenatchee will receive $19,390" in WPA funds "for a sanitary sewer system ..."

The Works Progress Administration built “5,898 lineal feet of eighteen-inch sewer” in English, McDowell County.

The WPA installed sewer lines in this small town in Sacramento County.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a sewer system for the village of Hammond, New York.

The FERA initiated construction of Key West's sewerage system in 1935-36. In 1935, the WPA took over FERA activities, and likely continued sewer construction efforts.

The Works Progress Administration built a sewer system in Malden, Kanawha County.

"The federal government’s New Deal programs, specifically the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration, also played a direct role in Rock Hill’s economic recovery. Building projects included ... a new city-wide sewer system." The PWA supplied a $188,000 loan and $70,631 grant for the project, whose total cost was $258,835. Construction began October 1934 and was completed June 1935.

Public Works Administration grant W1024 approved a grant of $13,167 toward a sanitary sewer for the city of Sitka. The project was approved 6/22/1938 and construction began 8/23/1938. The project was completed 12/2/1938.

The original sewer system and water treatment facility for the town of Harrington, Delaware were constructed with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $106,180 loan and $28,000 grant toward the project, whose total cost was $121,289. Work occurred between July 1934 and February 1935. The treatment plant is no longer in use. (PWA Docket No. DE 931)

According to limited annual town reports available, major improvements were constructed to the sewer system with the help of the New Deal in this historical port town and maritime manufacturing center that begins from the early 1600's up to it's crucial role in every single war that this nation has been involved in. The former system, built in the 1800's, simply dumped raw sewage into the bay. 1933 In November an application for a United States Government loan and/or grant was filed with the Public Works Administration for a Sewer Project for the amount of $132,000.00, Subsequently, approval of this application was made subject...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted the following utility work as a project in Ayer, Mass. WPA project details: "Construct sewer mains, sewage treatment plant, and pumping stations" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐715 Total project cost: $648,736.00 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook an extension of the sewerage system in Bastrop, Louisiana during the Great Depression. Approximately two thirds of all WPA spending on public utilities during this period was dedicated to the construction and repair of sewerage systems, which represented a significant public health concern. The WPA provided an initial appropriation of $35,000 for enlargement of the Bastrop sewerage system in the Morehouse Parish of Louisiana. The project employed 175 men.

"Description: Improve sanitary sewer system in and near Jamestown, Tuolumne County including constructing treatment plant, roads, walls, settling beds, drainage ditches, trestles, and manholes; excavating; installing pipe and appurtenances; backfilling; and performing incidental and appurtenant work. Publicly and privately owned property. Work on private property is to consist of constructing sewer pipe lines and roads for which proper agreements are to be obtained. Sponsor: Jamestown Sanitary District" WPA Proj. No. 165-1-08-348, Proj. Cost $50,346, Application Date May 28, 1941, Average Employed 148, Total Federal and Sponsor funds $68,153 There was only one original New Deal structure at the facility when I visited....

The Borger Daily Herald reported that in June 1938 the PWA approved a $43,363 grant and $53,000 in loans to Wheeler, Texas for the purpose of improving / constructing its sewer system.

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 announced that "White Salmon, Klickitat County, was granted $7,683 for the reconstruction of their water supply system."

Up until 1933, the sewer system of Hampton Beach was simply a system built by the Hampton Beach Improvement Company which piped raw sewage directly into the ocean. Under threat from state health officials due to "deplorable conditions" that would have resulted in quarantine and shut down of the beach, "the federal government awarded a $160,000 funding package to the town in September. Some $40,000 of the grant was a gift; the balance was to be paid back with a bond issue." After some noisy opposition from local officials that defeated a proposal and threats from the state, "the...

Public Works Administration project 4653 approved the construction of an extension to the Raymond sewerage system 2/28/1934. A loan of $21,750 and grant of $8,250 was awarded. Construction began June 29, 1934 and was completed October 31, 1934. The project laid approximately 22,000 feet of pipe. The sewer pipe contract was awarded to the Cannelston Sewer Pipe company of Indiana and the cast iron pipe contract to McWain Cast Iron Pipe company of Birmingham. Engineer Peter O’Brien of Jackson designed the layout, and the government engineer was E. D. Sloan. The project called for sewer pipe from 4-12 inches in...

A sanitary sewer construction project in Ardsley, New York was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $172,500 loan and $61,500 grant toward the $231,791 eventual total cost of the project. Work occurred between December 1934 and April 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 6147)

The City of Barre relied heavily on federal relief programs for the improvement and development of its sewer network during the Great Depression.

The 1934 town report noted that "Sanitary sewers were constructed with E. R. A. labor the full length of Harbor and Bell Streets, on Union between Harbor and Bell and on Bay View from Harbor to Allyn."

Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission annual reports detail a New Deal-aided project in the north Boston metro area. 1934 report: "At the close of 1934 sites had been selected for an Intermediate High Service Reservoir on Arlington Heights and for a pumping station on Clifton Street in Belmont to improve the service for portions of Belmont, Watertown and Arlington. There was strong objection from the residents near Clifton Street and from the town officials to the construction of a pumping station in that location, and as a result the 1935 working season was well advanced before it was finally determined to locate the...

A sizable sewer construction project was undertaken in Bowling Green, Ohio with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $200,300 loan and $74,975 grant toward the eventual $276,675 total cost of the project. Work occurred between November 1934 and November 1935. (PWA Docket No. OH 2236)

Multiple sewer construction projects in Brookline, Mass. were undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket Nos. MA 1729, 1733.

The Brownsville Herald: "Sixty men were at work Tuesday on Brownsville's biggest WPA sewer project, involving an expected expense of $121,868 of federal money and $41,179 from city funds. Work was started in the Los Ebanos section, where new sewers are urgently needed. Crews will later be increased until 208 men will be employed."

A massive combination sewer construction project in Buffalo, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The three-year effort amounted to one of the largest construction projects in the country at the time. The PWA supplied a $3,358,000 loan and $6,750,000 grant; the total cost of the project was $15,091,077. (These figures have not been adjusted for inflation.) Work occurred between March 1936 and June 1939. (PWA Docket No. NY 1034)

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) constructed sewers in north Casper, Wyoming. Casper Star-Tribune, March 3, 1935: "A long-felt community need was laying of the North Casper sanitary sewer system, now nearing completion, at a cost of $38,158 to date." Cassity: "In Casper, the CWA improved and extended the sanitary sewer system to a part of town previously without."

Numerous sanitary and storm sewer construction projects were undertaken in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction on the projects began as early as 1933. (PWA Docket Nos.: OH 768, 769, 771, 1461, 1462, 1490, 1528, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1821, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2709, 2745, 8145, W1046, W1143, W1490, W1508)

The W.P.A. conducted "storm water drain" development work in Clinton, Iowa.

A massive sewer construction project was undertaken in Columbus, Ohio with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $710,000 loan and $390,000 grant toward the eventual $1,879,813 total cost of the project. Work occurred between June 1934 and June 1938. (PWA Docket No. OH 1961)

WPA labor and funds assisted in the construction of Cranston's massive sewer construction project. There is even a photo of an unusual WPA manhole cover.